Lawmakers stop partisan bickering … for a moment
Republicans and Democrats spent a good portion of this week blaming each other on social media for the partisan gridlock that has resulted in two special legislative sessions and no operating budget.
The Washington state GOP party released a YouTube video Thursday blaming Inslee and the Democrats for the possible closure of state parks and high tuition rates.
“He’s the governor who can’t govern,” the narrator says in an ominous tone.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOYX3TBZEM8&w=560&h=315]
Washington state Democrats blogged and Tweeted about the government shutdown urging constituents to call Republicans and say “it’s time to compromise.”
But for a moment on Thursday, lawmakers stopped blaming each other and took time out to praise Elson Floyd.
Both chambers passed a resolution to honor the late Washington State University President who died at 59 from cancer on June 20. 
Since his death, statements honoring Floyd have come from every corner, from editorial boards to politicians to former students.
There is now a push to name the WSU medical school in Spokane after the late President.
On Thursday, Sen. Mike Baumgartner, R-Spokane, said it’s hard to make sense of why a guy like Floyd would have his life cut short by such an awful disease.
“The only thing I can figure is maybe Heaven needed a branch campus,” Baumgartner said.
Maybe Floyd is up there right now, Baumgartner said, his voice cracking, negotiating with St. Peter.
Lauren Dake
Lauren Dake covers politics for The Columbian. You can reach her at 360-735-4534 or lauren.dake@columbian.com. Follow her on Twitter .